PSCNA: Loni Unser bounces back to secure runner-up finish at COTA
- LIAM REDFORD
- 54 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Kellymoss driver Loni Unser recovered from a late-race technical issue in race one at COTA to challenge for the win in race two, narrowly missing out on her first victory in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by just a quarter of a second to claim a runner up finish.
Loni Unser narrowly missed out on her first victory in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by just a quarter of a second at Circuit of the Americas. The Kellymoss driver recovered from a late-race technical issue in race one to challenge for the race win in race two. Unser enjoyed a fantastic duel with Jens Hantson as she took a step closer to a breakthrough victory in the series.
Unser arrived in Texas looking to bounce back from an unfortunate last round at Sonoma Raceway. After being caught up in an incident in race one, the quick turnaround between the races resulted in insufficient time for her Kellymoss team to fully repair the car for race two. However, a smart play from the team saw Unser start the race and therefore secure a valuable haul of championship points. Unser was now looking for her first race victory after narrowly missing out on the top step of the podium at Sebring International Raceway.
In 2024, Circuit of the Americas was the venue at which Unser scored her first podium finish in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America. Loni showed excellent speed throughout the event and was therefore looking to carry this forward into 2025, where she had already established herself as a Cayman Pro/Am championship contender.
The race weekend began on Thursday with drivers given two test sessions, before the first official free practice session got underway. Unser enjoyed a productive day as she completed 47 laps at Circuit of the Americas. Her fastest time came in free practice one where the Kellymoss driver set a lap time of a 2:17.775 which placed her third in the Cayman Pro/Am class.
Friday’s running began with the second free practice session held in cooler conditions on Friday morning. As a result, drivers were able to improve their lap times with Unser setting a 2:16.679. This time was third fastest in the Cayman Pro/Am class and with Loni having her quickest time removed for exceeding track limits, there was more speed to come in qualifying.
Qualifying took place on Friday afternoon with Unser looking to secure a strong starting position. The Kellymoss driver was immediately on the pace and although the session was disrupted by a red flag following an incident for Reginald Tartaglione, Unser improved from practice. Setting a time of a 2:16.536, Loni set the third fastest time overall, second in the Cayman Pro/Am class, while being the quickest Cayman Pro/Am driver through the middle sector.
Race one of the weekend took place early on Saturday morning with Unser starting from third overall, second in the Cayman Pro/Am class. As the lights went out and the drivers approached turn one, Unser looked to the inside in an attempt to claim the class lead from Hantson. Her rival just held onto the position with Cayman Masters competitor Alain Scalzo retaining the overall race lead.
At the end of lap one, Unser remained in third position overall and with Hantson quickly challenging Scalzo, the Kellymoss driver took a watching brief. On lap two, Unser set the overall fastest lap of the race and this ensured she remained within a second of the Cayman Pro/Am class. Hantson was keen to claim the overall lead and following an out-braking manoeuvre on Scalzo into turn one, the Speedsport Tuning driver moved ahead.
Now with Scalzo ahead, Unser was aiming to follow her class rival through to fight for the overall lead. By lap five, Unser was just half a second behind and following a spell of sustained pressure, she cut the margin to just a quarter of a second. A fantastic move from Unser on lap 8 saw her claim second position overall at turn 12 and she immediately pulled out a number of car lengths.
The gap to Hantson out front was four seconds, however Loni set the overall fastest lap of the race as she made use of the clean air ahead. Hantson quickly responded with the fastest first sector, before Unser broke the 52 second barrier for the middle sector for the first time. This led to another fastest lap as she reduced the margin to a little over three seconds.
Unser was driving superbly in the middle portion of the race and she again set the quickest time on lap 13. As she continued to pull away from Scalzo, Loni was aiming to mount a late-race challenge on Hantson before misfortune struck. Just minutes from the end of the race, Unser’s car came to a stop with a technical issue and she was forced to retire from the race after an excellent drive in which she was set to claim a strong runner-up result.
Following a great job from the Kellymoss team, Unser lined up on the grid for race two of the weekend which took place later on Saturday. Loni started from the front row in second position and as the drivers approached turn one, she did a nice job to resist the early challenge from Anna Cecchi. As Unser opened up a gap on Cecchi through the first sector, she quickly latched onto the rear of race leader Jens Hatson.
Unser ended lap one just half a second behind the Speedsport Tuning driver and began to mount a challenge for a race lead. The Kellymoss driver got an excellent run down the back straight and this forced Hantson to defend into turn 12 and throughout the complex. Hantson was able to maintain the lead and after he set the quickest first sector on lap three, his lead approached one second.
On lap five, the race entered a full course yellow period after the cars of Thomas Kerr and Paul Bonderson required recovery after a first lap incident. When the race resumed, Unser was keen to apply the pressure to Hantson and she did just that by setting the overall best middle sector of the race. Two further quick middle sectors during the middle portion of the race ensured Hantson rarely extended his lead beyond one second.
Unser remained in contention for her maiden victory throughout the second half of the race as she showed great tenacity to bounce back from the race one disappointment. By lap 12, Hantson’s advantage was just half a second and now Unser was making her rival defend his position once again. Her strength through sector two and into the complex provided her with a chance to shape for a move and Unser almost got an overlap on lap 15.
The Kellymoss driver began the final lap just two tenths of a second behind Hantson with the Speedsport Tuning driver doing a good job to protect his lead. A fantastic effort from Unser came to a close on the final lap as she took the chequered flag in second position, just a quarter of a second away from securing her first victory in the series.
It was an excellent end to the weekend for Unser who showed superb race pace to challenge Hantson throughout race two. Loni was consistently the fastest driver throughout sector two in both races and this will fill her with encouragement as she seeks a breakthrough win in the second half of the season. The next round of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America takes place at Virginia International Raceway on the weekend of July 12th/13th.